Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme in the Context of the Health MDGS – An Empirical Evaluation Using Propensity Score Matching

22 Pages Posted: 8 Jul 2010

See all articles by Christoph M. Schmidt

Christoph M. Schmidt

RWI - Leibniz-Insitut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI Essen); Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB); Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Joseph Harrison Mensah

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Joseph R. Oppong

University of North Texas - Department of Geography

Date Written: December 1, 2009

Abstract

In 2003 the Government of Ghana established a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve health care access for Ghanaians and eventually replace the cash and-carry system. This study evaluates the NHIS to determine whether it is fulfilling its purpose in the context of the Millennium Development Goals #4 and #5 which deal with the health of women and children. We use Propensity Score Matching techniques to balance the relevant background characteristics in our survey data and compare health outcomes of recent mothers who are enrolled in the NHIS with those who are not. Our findings suggest that NHIS women are more likely to receive prenatal care, deliver at a hospital, have their deliveries attended by trained health professionals, and experience less birth complications. We conclude that NHIS is an effective tool for increasing health care access, and improving health outcomes.

Keywords: Health insurance, prenatal care, Millennium Development Goals, Propensity Score Matching

JEL Classification: I18, O12, C21

Suggested Citation

Schmidt, Christoph M. and Mensah, Joseph Harrison and Oppong, Joseph R., Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme in the Context of the Health MDGS – An Empirical Evaluation Using Propensity Score Matching (December 1, 2009). Ruhr Economic Paper No. 157, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1532169 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1532169

Christoph M. Schmidt (Contact Author)

RWI - Leibniz-Insitut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI Essen) ( email )

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Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

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United Kingdom

Joseph Harrison Mensah

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Joseph R. Oppong

University of North Texas - Department of Geography ( email )

1155 Union Circle #305340
Denton, TX 76203
United States
9405652181 (Phone)
9403697550 (Fax)

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